Why: To raise funds and awareness for Behind the Badge Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting critically wounded law enforcement officers and the families of fallen officers in Washington state.

Regardless of what Mother Nature may bring, on Jan. 12, hundreds of runners will take to the streets of Gig Harbor to pay honor and respect to law enforcement officers across the state, and to raise funds for Behind the Badge, a state agency that assists critically wounded officers and the families of slain officers.

The fourth annual Resolution Run for the Heroes 5K run and walk and 10K run will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12 at Skansie Brothers Park.

The run came about four years ago from a handful of local business owners who are members of the Sound Business Connections, who wanted to create a positive community reaction to the fatal shootings of a Seattle Police officer on Oct. 31, 2009 and four Lakewood Police officers slain on Nov. 29, 2009.

Among those members is DeeAnne Shaw, who owns Harbor Home Massage. Being married to a detective with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, she knows how important community support is to law enforcement officers.

"For me as a cop wife, the race shows the community supports them and that people know they are doing their best to keep people safe," Shaw said.

Her sentiments are shared by another member of Sound Business Connections, Shannon Wulick, also of Gig Harbor. Wulick's husband is an investigator with PCSO.

"There's a lot of adversity in what police have to deal with every day — having to make split-second decisions," Wulick said. "You can see a lot of negative views about police.

"We feel so blessed to have such positive support from the public — that for the most part people truly respect what they do," she added.

Wulick said neighbors have even stopped by their house to thank her husband for the safety he provides the community.

The Sound Business Connections group wanted to extend this thanks to a wider degree and came up with the first Resolution Run for the Heroes in 2010, originally targeting both law enforcement and firefighters. Wulick said two years ago they switched gears — focusing solely on law enforcement officers — by supporting Behind the Badge, a statewide organization dedicated to support families of critically wounded and fallen officers.

Behind the Badge Foundation's expanded mission includes operation of the state-recognized Line-of-Duty Death Response Team, financial support for line-of-duty death memorial services, support for catastrophically injured officer issues, resource referrals for network counseling, financial planning, memorial planning, and legal assistance for affected families, as well as ongoing maintenance of the State Law Enforcement Memorial on the capitol campus in Olympia.

Wulick said that Behind the Badge is "strictly local, and that was important to us." All funds raised stay in the state to help officers and their families. The two most recent officer fatalities include U.S. Forest Service Park Ranger Margaret Anderson on Jan. 1 at Mount Rainier National Park, and Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu on Feb. 23 in Gorst, just south of Bremerton. Both were fatally shot during routine traffic stops earlier this year.

The run has grown over the past three years. The first run had 87 participants following a short planning period. Last year's run saw 298 people taking to the streets. Shaw said they are anticipating up to 450 for this year's event. But given the typical nature of people in the Pacific Northwest, advance sign-ups are slow with a number of people showing up the day of the run to sign up.

"We sweat the details every day," Wulick said, of the 12 people who organize the event every year. "We're carefully planning, trying to spend our money wisely." The more they can save on the front end of the planning, she said, the more they can donate to Behind the Badge.

Wulick said the business group appreciates their sponsors and are looking for more. "Right now, what we need are monetary sponsors. We have plenty of food donations," she added.

Registration for the Resolution Run is ongoing until the day of the run. Through Monday, Dec. 31, registration is $30 for adults and $15 for children 14 and younger and includes a race T-shirt. Beginning Jan. 1, registration is $35 for adults and $20 for children.
Last year, after costs, the group donated $3,600 to Behind the Badge Foundation.

Shaw said it is a family event and strollers are welcome.

When they first planned the event in 2009, Dr. Timothy Holmes was a member of the business group. He has been hosting the annual Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Gig Harbor for nine years that also is a 5K/10K run. Using his expertise, they adopted his same course and also enlisted the assistance of Route 16 to help with planning and registration details.

Participants who have pre-registered can pick up their race bags and T-shirts at Route 16, 6745 Kimball Drive, Suite E, on Jan. 11. They will also be taking in last-minute registrations there, Shaw said.

"People get up on a cold morning to take part in our run and support our local officers. It is wonderful," Shaw said.